Bumper for motor vehicles

ABSTRACT

A bumper or the like for motor vehicles, especially for passenger motor vehicles, in which the bumper includes a bearer member constructed V-shaped, as viewed in cross section, whose leg ends are bent off vertically or nearly vertically into flanges and are so arranged that they are disposed on the side of the bearer member opposite the vehicle; a protective bar of rubber or similar material is mounted on the bumper, possibly by the interposition of a support member.

mted States Patent 91 [111 3,778,093 Renner Dec. 11, 1973 [54] BUMPERFOR MOTOR VEHICLES 3,583,530 6/1971 De Venne 188/1 [75] Inventor:Hermann Rum", Boblingen 3,606,434 9 1971 Barton et al. 293/64 GermanyPrimary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza [73] Asslgnee g g' i fi f f gAssistant ExaminerRobert Saifer u gar n er ermany Attorney-Craig,Antonelli & Hill [22] Filed: Sept. 17, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 181,384 [57]ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Appncalion Priority Dam A bumper or the like formotor vehicles, especially for S t 7 1970 G P20 45 9625. passenger motorvehicles, in which the bumper includes a bearer member constructedV-shaped, as viewed in cross section, whose leg ends are bent off 293/vertically or nearly vertically into flanges and are so ['58] Fieid 6566 67 arranged that they are disposed on the side of the I bearer memberopposite the vehicle; a protective bar of rubber or similar material ismounted on the bum- References Cited per, possibly by the interpositionof a support mem- UNITED STATES PATENTS Taylor 293/73 ber.

26 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PMENIEU DEC 1 I I973 sum 10F 2 INVENTORHERMANN RENNER ATTORNEYS Pmmgnnac v 1 ms 3; 778393 sum 2 or 2 NTORHERMAN NER BY 06 GM QA' L ATTORNEYS 1 BUMPER FORMOTOR VEHICLES Thepresent invention relates to a bumper or the like for motor vehicles,especially for passenger motor vehicles with a protective strip or barof rubber or similar material mounted thereon.

It is generally customary to equip motor vehicles as well as also railvehicles and vehicles not driven by engines with bumpers. Such bumpersconsist in most cases of steel or also of synthetic resinous material.The aim underlying the present invention now consists to provide, by aspecial construction, a bumper with a large impact surface superior andimproved compared to the known prior art bumpers, which is moredeformation-resistant and buckling-resistant.

As a solution to the underlying problems, the bumper essentiallyconsists, according to the present invention, of a V-shaped bearer, asseen in cross-section, whose leg ends are bent off perpendicularly ornearly perpendicularly into flanges and are arranged in such a mannerthat they are disposed on the side of the bearer opposite the vehicle.

According to the present invention, the cross-axis of the bearer mayassume a horizontal position or also a slightly forwardly downwardlyinclined position toward the open side for purposes of the decorativeappearance.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the legs of thebearer may be provided with several embossments which are constructednose-like and which serve for the reinforcement of the vertical ornearly vertical flanges provided as connecting surfaces of other impactabsorbing parts.

In order to further reinforce the V-shaped bearer, the present inventionadditionally provides to arrange several webs between the legs of thebearer or at the support member.

As a further feature of the present invention, the bearer may besecurely connected at the side of the flanges with at least one supportmember or a decorative bar or strip whereby the support member consistsof a metallic, synthetic resinous or rubber-like material.

The bumpers proposed in accordance with the present invention may alsobe so constructed that the bearer is provided at the side of the flangeswith support members of which one consists of metal or syntheticresinous material and the other of rubber or similar material.

The construction of the support member secured in front of the bumper isparticularly advantageous if a synthetic resinous materials, forexample, glass-fiberreinforced polyester resins, are used as materialstherefor, since they are suitable as material for such types ofstructural parts not only as regards the shaping and design latitude butalso with respect to the favorable mounting of the elastic protectivestrips or bars.

For the rapid and secure fastening of the protective strip or bar,several hooks, buttons or clamps may be provided externally at theflange sides of the bearer or at the supporting member.

In an advantageous construction of the present invention, the bearer andthe support member may be securely enclosed in part by the protectivebar or strip so that any securing elements can be dispensed with.

It is further possible according to the present invention to vulcanizeor bond the protective strip or bar to the support member.

In order to improve the stability of such bumpers, the leg ends of thebearer can be bent from the flange side in the direction toward thevehicle.

In lieu of this construction the support member according to the presentinvention may be provided with legs bent in the direction toward thevehicle.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide abumper for motor vehicles, especially passenger motor vehicles, whichavoids by simple means the aforementioned shortcomings and drawbacks.

Another object of the present invention resides in an improved bumperwhich offers a large impact surface, yet is relativelydeformation-resistant and resistant to denting, buckling, etc.

A further object of the present invention resides in a bumper for motorvehicles which exhibits a relatively large rigidity, yet is simple inconstruction and ofiers a great latitude in design.

These and further objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following description whentaken in connection with the accompanying drawing which shows, forpurposes of illustration only several embodiments in accordance with thepresent invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial plan view of a bumper in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of the bumper ofFIG. 1, taken along line lI-II;

FIGS. 3 to 6 are cross-sectional views, similar to FIG. 2, of fourmodified embodiments of a bumper in accordance with the presentinvention, and

FIGS. 7 and 8 are partial cross-sectional views, on an enlarged scale,illustrating two fastening possibilities of a bearer with a supportmember consisting of synthetic resinous material.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference numerals are usedthroughout the various views to designate like parts, and moreparticularly to FIG. 1, a bumper generally designated by referencenumeral 1 and shown in this figure up to half its length, essentiallyconsists oi" a V-shaped bearer 2, shown more clearly in FIG. 2 of asupportmember 3 rigidly connected with the. bearer 2 and/or of aprotective strip or bar'4 consisting of rubber or similar material. Thelegs 5 of the bearer 2 are bent off perpendicularly at the ends intoflanges 6 which are intended to be substantially vertical in theassembled condition of the bumper when secured to the vehicle. Theflanges 6 also serve as connecting or fastening surfaces for a unitaryor multipartite support member 3 or for at least one protective strip orbar 4, as FIGS. 2 to 6. Additionally the bearer 2 is provided with anumber of embossments 7 differing in size thereof, which are arrangedrespectively on an outwardly facing side of each leg 5 and, depending onthe number of embossments, effect a desired and advantageousreinforcement of the bearer 2 together with its flanges 6 over theentire length thereof.

Additionally, for the further reinforcement of the bearer, webs 7a (FIG.2) are arranged between the legs 5 or at the support member 3 for thesame purpose.

The flanges 6 of the bearer 2 (FIG. 4) or the support members 3 (FIGS. 7and 8) are provided with several suitable fastening elements 8consisting of buttons, hooks, or clamps for the attachment of at leastone protective strip or bar 4.

Possibly also a T-shaped or V-shaped rail may be arranged at the flanges6 or at the support members 3,

over which the protective strip or bar 4 is mounted or slipped over.

In the embodiments of the bumper l illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 bearer2, provided with webs 7a, consists of a metallic material, while thesupport member 3, securely connected with the bearer 2, consists ofsynthetic resinous material of any known, suitable type. The twoprotective strips or bars 4 may be secured to the support member 3 byclip-on type fastening elements 8 of rubber or the like. According toFIG. 2 the cross-axis of the bumper is arranged horizontally andaccording to FIG. 3 the cross-axis of the bumper is arranged slightlyinclined forwardly toward the open side of the V-shaped bearer wherebythe flanges 6 of the bearer continue to assume a substantially verticalposition in the installed position of the bumper.

In the bumper illustrated in FIG. 4 the bearer 2, consisting of asuitable synthetic resinous material, for example, aglass-fiber-reinforced polyester resin, is provided with webs 7adisposed between the legs and replacing the support member 3. The bearer2 of this embodiment is directly connected with the unitary protectivestrip or bar 4 by any suitable known means, for example, again byclip-on fastening elements 8.

The bumpers illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 are provided with a metallicbearer 2, a metallic support member 3 and with a protective strip or bar4 consisting of rubber and extending uninterruptedly in the direction ofthe bumper height (FIG. 5) or arranged spatially in the direction of thebumper height (FIG. 6) into two strip portions. In FIG. 6 the bearer 2and the support member 3 are non-slidingly and clampingly retained attheir upper and lower ends by the partially slipped over rubber of theprotective bar 4 so that clamps, bolts or the like are not necessary. InFIG. 5 the protective bar 4 is clampingly slipped over only thebent-back end portions of the support member 3 or may also be vulcanizedover the same or bonded thereto. According to FIG. 6 the support member3 may possibly be rigidly connected with the bearer 2 by conventionalmeans, such as spot-welding or the like.

All of the bearers 2 and support members 3 of the bumpers are connectedwith each other by means of bolts, rivets, bonding, spot-welding,molding or castingin or the like. Typical examples thereof areillustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

The leg ends of the bearer 2 according to FIGS. 4 and 6 are bent backfrom the flange side toward the vehicle whereas according to FIGS. 2 and3 and 5 the support members 3 are provided with legs bent back in thedirection toward the vehicle.

The support of the bumper at the vehicle or chassis, not shown in thedrawing, may be realized in a conventional manner by way of rigid orelastic connecting members and/or by way of energy-dissipatingdeformation members.

While I have shown and described several embodiments in accordance withthe present invention, it is understood that the same is not limitedthereto but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications asknown to those skilled in the art and I therefore do not wish to belimited to the details shown and described herein but intend to coverall such changes and modifications as are encompassed by the scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. A bumper for motor vehicles comprising: at least one protective barmeans of rubber-like material and a V-shaped bearer means extendingsubstantially along the entire length of said bar means for bearingsame, each leg of the V-shaped bearer means being provided with severaltriangular shaped embossments and a flange which is substantiallyperpendicular to each leg.

2. A bumper according to claim 1, characterized in that the bearer meanshas a cross axis with a substantially horizontal position.

3. A bumper according to claim 1, characterized in that the bearer meanshas a cross axis which is slightly forwardly inclined toward the openside of the bearer means.

4. A bumper according to claim 1, characterized in that web means areprovided between the legs of the bearer means.

5. A bumper according to claim 1, characterized in that a support meansincludes several web means provided for the bearer means.

6. A bumper according to claim I, further comprising support meanssecurely connected with the bearer means.

7. A bumper according to claim 6, characterized in that the supportmeans consists of a metallic, material.

8. A bumper according to claim 5, characterized by fastening meansarranged outwardly at the support means.

9. A bumper according to claim 6, characterized in that said fasteningmeans are selected from the group consisting of hooks, buttons andclamps.

10. A bumper according to claim 6 wherein said support means consists ofa synthetic resinous material.

11. A bumper according to claim 6, wherein said support means consistsof a rubber-like material.

12. A bumper according to claim 1, characterized by several fasteningmeans arranged outwardly at the flange sides.

13. A bumper according to claim 12, characterized in that said fasteningmeans are selected from the group consisting of books, buttons andclamps.

14. A bumper according to claim 1, characterized in that the bumperincludes support means, the bearer and support means being partiallysecurely surrounded by the protective bar means.

15. A bumper according to claim 1, characterized in that a support meansis secured to the bearer means, and in that the protective bar means issecured to the support means.

16. A bumper according to claim 15, characterized in that the protectivebar means is vulcanized onto the support means.

17. A bumper according to claim 15, characterized in that the protectivebar means is bonded to the support means.

18. A bumper according to claim 15, characterized in that the leg endsof the bearer means are bent from the flange side toward the vehicle.

19. A bumper according to claim 15, characterized in that the supportmeans includes leg portions bent in the direction toward the vehicle.

20. A bumper according to claim 15, wherein said support means consistsof metallic material.

21. A bumper according to claim 15, characterized by fastening meansarranged outwardly at the support means.

22. A bumper according to claim 1, characterized in that web means areprovided between the legs of the bearer means.

23. A bumper according to claim 1, characterized in that a support meansis secured to said bearer means, said support means including severalweb means provided for the bearer means.

24. A bumper according to claim 1, characterized in that the bearermeans is directly connected at the flange side to the protective barmeans.

25. A bumper for motor vehicles comprising: at least one protective barmeans of rubber-like material and a V-shaped bearer means extendingsubstantially along the entire length of said bar means for bearingsame, each leg of the V-shaped bearer means terminating in a flangewhich is substantially perpendicular to each leg a support meansconsisting of a synthetic resinous material secured to the bearer meanssaid protective bar means being secured to the support means.

26. A bumper for motor vehicles comprising: at least one protective barmeans of rubber-like material and a V-shaped bearer means extendingsubstantially along the entire length of said bar means for bearingsame, each leg of the V-shaped bearer means terminating in a flangewhich is substantially perpendicular to each leg a support meansconsisting of a rubber-like material secured to the bearer means, saidprotective bar means being secured to the support means.

1. A bumper for motor vehicles comprising: at least one protective barmeans of rubber-like material and a V-shaped bearer means extendingsubstantially along the entire length of said bar means for bearingsame, each leg of the V-shaped bearer means being provided with severaltriangular shaped embossments and a flange which is substantiallyperpendicular to each leg.
 2. A bumper according to claim 1,characterized in that the bearer means has a cross axis with asubstantially horizontal position.
 3. A bumper according to claim 1,characterized in that the bearer means has a cross axis which isslightly forwardly inclined toward the open side of the bearer means. 4.A bumper according to claim 1, characterized in that web means areprovided between the legs of the bearer means.
 5. A bumper according toclaim 1, characterized in that a support means includes several webmeans provided for the bearer means.
 6. A bumper accOrding to claim 1,further comprising support means securely connected with the bearermeans.
 7. A bumper according to claim 6, characterized in that thesupport means consists of a metallic, material.
 8. A bumper according toclaim 5, characterized by fastening means arranged outwardly at thesupport means.
 9. A bumper according to claim 6, characterized in thatsaid fastening means are selected from the group consisting of hooks,buttons and clamps.
 10. A bumper according to claim 6 wherein saidsupport means consists of a synthetic resinous material.
 11. A bumperaccording to claim 6, wherein said support means consists of arubber-like material.
 12. A bumper according to claim 1, characterizedby several fastening means arranged outwardly at the flange sides.
 13. Abumper according to claim 12, characterized in that said fastening meansare selected from the group consisting of hooks, buttons and clamps. 14.A bumper according to claim 1, characterized in that the bumper includessupport means, the bearer and support means being partially securelysurrounded by the protective bar means.
 15. A bumper according to claim1, characterized in that a support means is secured to the bearer means,and in that the protective bar means is secured to the support means.16. A bumper according to claim 15, characterized in that the protectivebar means is vulcanized onto the support means.
 17. A bumper accordingto claim 15, characterized in that the protective bar means is bonded tothe support means.
 18. A bumper according to claim 15, characterized inthat the leg ends of the bearer means are bent from the flange sidetoward the vehicle.
 19. A bumper according to claim 15, characterized inthat the support means includes leg portions bent in the directiontoward the vehicle.
 20. A bumper according to claim 15, wherein saidsupport means consists of metallic material.
 21. A bumper according toclaim 15, characterized by fastening means arranged outwardly at thesupport means.
 22. A bumper according to claim 1, characterized in thatweb means are provided between the legs of the bearer means.
 23. Abumper according to claim 1, characterized in that a support means issecured to said bearer means, said support means including several webmeans provided for the bearer means.
 24. A bumper according to claim 1,characterized in that the bearer means is directly connected at theflange side to the protective bar means.
 25. A bumper for motor vehiclescomprising: at least one protective bar means of rubber-like materialand a V-shaped bearer means extending substantially along the entirelength of said bar means for bearing same, each leg of the V-shapedbearer means terminating in a flange which is substantiallyperpendicular to each leg a support means consisting of a syntheticresinous material secured to the bearer means said protective bar meansbeing secured to the support means.
 26. A bumper for motor vehiclescomprising: at least one protective bar means of rubber-like materialand a V-shaped bearer means extending substantially along the entirelength of said bar means for bearing same, each leg of the V-shapedbearer means terminating in a flange which is substantiallyperpendicular to each leg a support means consisting of a rubber-likematerial secured to the bearer means, said protective bar means beingsecured to the support means.